"No, I think not."
"I like it. I've been out ever so many times. Sometimes I'm a Democrat and sometimesI'm a Republican. It makes no difference to me so long as I have fun."
Three weeks passed without developing anything to affect our hero's fortunes.
About this time Ezekiel Bond received the following note from his uncle:
I think you may as well carry out, without any further delay, the plan on which you agreed when Oliver entered your employment. I consider it desirable that he should be got rid of at once. As soon as anything happens, apprise me by letter.
B. Kenyon.
Ezekiel Bond shrugged his shoulders when he received this letter.
"I can't quite understand what Uncle Benjamin is driving at," he said to himself. "He's got the property, and I can't see how the boy stands in the way. However, I am under obligations to him, and must carry out his wishes."
Ten minutes later he entered the store from the back room, and said to Oliver:
"Have you any objection to going out for me?"